‘I’m like anyone else’
By Catherine Godbey, The Decatur Daily, Ala. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Some of the world's greatest artists, performers and thinkers --
"These people beautified the world. The world was a better place because they were in it. And every single one had bipolar disorder. I am a part of their group," Griffith said.
Griffith, a
Now, the 46-year-old wants to share her story.
"Bipolar is like the monster no one wants to talk about. Since no one talks about it, no one really understands it," Griffith said. "I hope to help people learn what this illness is. I hope to dispel some fears. I hope to put a very human face on bipolar disorder."
"Amy is incredibly gifted. She is smart, independent, articulate, musical and athletic. She has a real sense of understanding about people and how they think. She's pretty remarkable,"
A social worker by trade,
After graduating high school,
"Brian has been the most important part of everything. He is as solid as a rock and has never wavered. He is a major part of her success, and I thank God for him every single day,"
It was 1987 when White became friends with the girl with the infectious smile and outgoing disposition. For most of college, they dated other people. Then, their friendship turned into something more.
"I don't know how to explain it. It was just one of those things where time and circumstance brought us together. Basically, I got lucky," said White, also a
To the outside world,
No one knew that
"I challenge anyone to tell me why the earth decided to open up and swallow me,"
Discovery, treatment
On a fall evening, two months before Brian and Amy's wedding,
"She wasn't sleeping, and she was getting overly emotional and crying a lot,"
For the next 10 years, the medication allowed
"The world lost all color. There was not even black and white -- everything was just gray. The way people looked, the way they talked, what they said, all of it was gray,"
The anxiety ushered in paranoia, loneliness and fear. She stopped working, went weeks without eating and struggled to find the energy to get out of bed.
"I felt like I was in deep water, unable to touch the ground, but I had to keep my head up. And on top of that, I felt like I had been treading water for hours,"
Fearing for her safety,
"We had a series of short hospitalizations, and it was always just short, put a Band-Aid on the situation, treatments that got her nowhere except back in the hospital," White said.
After three visits to north
There,
"I thought it was a death sentence,"
Danger
For 20 percent of the approximately 5.7 million Americans diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it is. According to the
Along with the high suicide risk, bipolar disorder ranks as the fifth-leading cause of disability worldwide and the ninth-leading cause of years lost to death or disability.
"If those numbers were associated with cancer or another physical illness, you'd have so many funds flowing in to do interventions and research," said
As director of the
She calls north
"Years ago, I would get a call from a person with no insurance, and I could make a few calls and find someone to see them. Now, I can't find spaces for people who have good solid resources," said Brantley, who started working with the association 29 years ago. "There are just not as many people going into the profession."
The proof exists in the research: According to the
"Sadly, a lot of times, it is luck of the draw," Brantley said. "Sometimes spots open up, and if you are lucky enough to call on the right day at the right time, then you may find a spot. Mental health care should not work like that."
What if she had been less persistent? What if her family, out of love, didn't nag her to find another doctor? What if they didn't have insurance?
"We had to scratch and claw to get Amy where she needed to be, at
Reactions
Each family member coped with the bipolar disorder diagnosis differently.
"I was stunned. I thought you had to have these high highs, where you sleep with 10 men or run up
Under the umbrella of bipolar disorder, defined by the
To understand the diagnosis and her role in Amy's treatment,
"I am a fixer. I can fix anything if you just give me a chance. I couldn't fix this; I had to know my limits. For a mother, that is not easy. I am not used to seeing those kinds of limits,"
While
"When I heard someone say, 'I think we can help you,' it was like a weight was lifted off of us. We had a diagnosis, and we knew what we were treating," White said.
During her stay at
From her minister, the Rev.
"Anyone can write a prescription, but that has to be accompanied by very sophisticated therapy, and that's where we are lacking in north
With the proper treatment,
"I'm like anyone else. I go to church, I cook dinner, I work, I go out to the movies and every now and then I have a sick day. That's it," said
Reclaiming her life
Two years ago, she took another step in reclaiming her life and got her license to practice law renewed. In
"When she said, 'I'm getting my license renewed, and I'm going to find my place,' I was like, 'Woo-hoo!' I knew then that we had turned a major corner,"
"Amy is one of the most tenacious people I know. She didn't give up," White said. "At the beginning, this must have looked pretty frightening and bleak, but that didn't stop her, and now she is at a point of getting control of her illness."
For family members of those living with bipolar, White recommended to constantly ask questions.
"If you're not seeing results, ask questions just like you would your general practitioner. It can be frustrating, so you just have to not lose your resolve to find the right treatment," White said.
Currently,
"As much as I would not want to have this disease, I do believe being bipolar has changed my life in some good ways,"
Inside Bipolar Disorder
What is it? A brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy and activity levels. Different from the normal ups and downs most people experience, bipolar disorder can cause significant problems in relationships, at work and at school.
How many people live with bipolar? 5.7 million Americans.
How is it diagnosed? Unlike the flu or strep throat, bipolar disorder cannot be diagnosed by a simple medical test. The first symptoms of bipolar disorder typically appear in the early 20s.
What are the symptoms? In the mania phase, individuals may have racing thoughts, are easily distracted and overly restless, need little sleep, have inflated feelings of power and engage in pleasurable, high-risk behaviors. In the depressive phase, individuals may feel tired and irritable, have problems concentrating, stop eating and change their sleeping patterns. During the depressive episode is when thoughts of suicide may occur.
___
(c)2014 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.)
Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 2382 |
Ala. Hospitals Taking Hit
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News